Welcome to my domain...if you dare...

Welcome to my blog about life as a writer and the craziness it involves with struggles of daily life. Make yourself at home but only if you don't mind a little messiness from time to time. This isn't the Home and Garden blog or Martha Stewart so don't expect cute little crafts with homemade goodies. That's not happening in the world of vamps, weres, and other things that go bump in the night...well...maybe homemade blood cakes topped with 'scream a la cream' sweetness along with the sexy alpha males who serve it up.

Monday, January 31, 2011

OH, ANGEL! HMMMMM.... his wicked sultry gaze tempts me to fall from grace every time. One look at him races up my heart beat and kicks my hormones into overdrive. I've been a fan of David Boreanaz since his days on Buffy. Then couldn't deny his talent or sexiness no matter how hard I tried when he starred in the spin-off of Angel. Then I hit full fledged stalker status when he first portrayed FBI agent Seely Booth on Bones. Hey, what can I say...I'm beggin' to be handcuffed here...the signs are all clear: "Hello, I am a David Boreanaz addict. Thank you."

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Traditions have a certain place within different cultures, ethnic groups, and families. The idea of having a 'special' long established custom handed down from generation to generation can have a profound effect on how people view the world around them and themselves. A tradition can give someone strong ties whether its towards their family or community.

These rituals can invoke an intimate connection between the present lives of today to the ancestors of yesterday. When people continue the rituals of long ago handed down from their parents, grandparents,and great grandparents and so forth, the family lineage becomes stronger with each passing year because it's like a part of each ancestor partakes of the tradition even though they are not physically present.

There's something nostalgic and intimate about continuing to cook a recipe from a great ancestor, singing the same family 'made up' songs created from years past every Christmas, or telling the same old wives' tales which your grandmother told your mother and she in return told you.

Some may be quirky and fun and others may bring a tear to your eye every time it is performed; yet, you find yourself doing these 'old' customs on a regular basis. Why? For myself, they give me a connection with my past and a sense of belonging to something of great importance. It's almost like I've been entrusted with 'The Holy Grail' and I want to do everything I can to honor and protect that trust placed within me.

There are some that may be simple; yet, their impact can be strong and everlasting on a person's soul. One such simple family tradition which occurred when I was young, included reading the family Bible every night before bedtime. The whole family would congregate on top of my parents' bed and we would take turns reading a passage from The Bible. Then we discussed what we read and end the time with a prayer. It was something that still resonates within me and I cherish those times. My Dad told me that it was done the same way when he was a youngster. Although I don't have children of my own, I do value those times of sitting on the bed and reading GOD's word with my husband. We may not be able to do it every night with crazy schedules but when we do, I feel a stronger connection not only with GOD and my husband but with my past loved ones as well.

What types of traditions or rituals do you continue to keep going within your family, friends, or community? How did it impact your life and in what ways does it keep you connected?

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

I've always loved the original 'Hawaii Five-0' TV series, but OHHHH MOMMA, the updated version has kicked my interest into major drool fest and adrenaline overdrive. One reason for this is Alex O'Loughlin plays the tough detective, Steve McGarrett. Awwww, need I say more? I didn't think so.

He definitely adds some new hotness to an old time favorite. Not to mention I loved his sexy vampire persona, Mick St. John in 'Moonlight' too. But then again, I do believe I'd like pretty much any character he portrays.

Yeah, it doesn't matter if I'm bitten on the neck or handcuffed...either way works well for me when it includes him.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

As a writer, I love researching names for characters. It intrigues me when I discover the meaning behind it and the history of its origin. I often pick a name for a certain character based on their personality or ethnic background. The connection between the name and the person who holds it should be real and personable. I think it's the same way with people. There are times when I meet a person and I think he/she sure doesn't fit their name sake. As I walk away from the person, I mentally shake my head thinking, "What the hell were his/her parents thinking?" When the name is so atrocious, I can't help but feel anxious and a little perturbed regarding the person's predicament.

Years ago, someone told me that he/she had a family member named 'Richard Head' but they called him 'Dick Head'...Why? Then this person grew up and had children of his own. In fact a son named after the father. You guessed right. Richard Head Jr was the name. Now to distinguish between the two Richards, the family decided to call the dad, Big Dick, and the son, Little Dick. And again I ask "WHY?" Did anyone ever stop to think about the repercussions this would have on either person whether within the community, school, or work. Hell, even within their own family. Don't get me wrong, Richard is a wonderful name; yet it doesn't quite work out with this particular surname.

Sorry...I couldn't resist...heehee.

As for my pen name, J D Elliott has significant meaning to me and I hold it dear to my heart. The name J D comes from my Dad who is no longer living. Jewell David was his legal birth name. Jewell means 'precious stone' and David means 'beloved'. Both those names fit him quite well. He definitely lived up to their meanings.

Elliott means 'The LORD is my GOD' and it originally comes from the name Elijah. The funny thing is that I named my cat, Elliott, when I first got her 18 years ago. At the time I was in my early twenties and had a big crush on Def Leppard's lead singer, Joe Elliott; thus, there came the name for my cat. I know it sounds pretty typical of young person; however, I still love the band, singer, and the name Elliott. Plus it totally fits my cat's unique personality.

When I was deciding on a pen name, both names quickly came to mind. I wanted to honor Dad in some way and the use of his name was a perfect choice. In fact, I believe Dad would approve and get a kick out of it. My cat, Elliott, is my baby so it was obvious that her name became the other half of my pen name as well. I believe both names compliment each other and sound quite catchy.

My birthname, Kellie, originates from the Irish form of the name, Kelly, which means 'brave warrior'. I have also found that it means 'bright headed'. So yeah, I believe my name fits my personality. Thank you, Mom and Dad for a fabulous name sake.

The point is a name should be sacred and valued and not teased or ridiculed. One should consider if a name will honor the person or embarrass him/her? So whenever you name your next child, pet, or hero/heroine, please consider if the name actually fits the personality and if its one that you'll be proud to say as well.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Here in America, we love our sports especially football. But Australia has something to offer as well with their version of football or as we like to call it soccer. It doesn't matter which way it's played but one thing is certain, Australian football player, Andrew Welsh extends enough enthusiasm for both continents with their love for any sport. It could be fly fishing and this guy would sell out stadiums. Don't you agree?

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

I don't know about you but when I think about all the beautiful snowfalls we've experienced lately, I can't help but think about purity, rebirth, or a new awakening. Sure there's freezing temperatures along with it but the earth welcomes the change as if saying, 'Yeah, I'm dirty and I need a good scrubbing.'

There seems to be a magical serenity when fluffy flakes float down to earth. With this mystical essence, the innocent and playful child exudes from within me. Oh face it, when the powder stuff blankets the ground, a little child comes out in all of us...whether for a few hours or a few days.

Yet, it is rather amusing how within a short amount of time, the same transformed innocent and playful child grumbles and rants about the not so tropical weather. Yep, that's usually how adulthood screws with us.

With that in mind, go ahead and continue to be the ecstatic and giddy youngster when GOD blesses us with painting HIS glorious world with a magical ice domain. Enjoy and embrace it while we can because we don't get it all the time and face it...we're not as young as we were yesterday.

So build a snowman, have a snowball fight, build a fort, or have an snow picnic with your loved one. But whatever you do, live. Live and laugh in the present.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

With the progression of our society in regards to technology, is it any wonder that we're losing touch with our humanity. Look around you, people text and make phone calls while in the movie theater, during a conference, church, and while having dinner with family and friends. Technology has its benefits but when it interferes, disrupts, and hurts our relating to other human beings then it becomes a nuisance.

Many times I've heard a cell phone ring during a conference, church service, or school lecture and I think...seriously? What is wrong with people? When a person thinks that the whole universe revolves around him/her, then it should be no surprise that our society has become more cynical, more narcissistic, and less compassionate and considerate towards other human beings.

Twenty years ago, we didn't have the technology of what we have today; yet, we survived without having to share our life story to every 'Tom, Dick, and Harry' every twenty seconds of every day. We also didn't take for granted the actual people around us. I mean, think about it. How often do you see people out eating with a group of family or friends but someone or several people within the group are texting or talking to someone else with the cell phone? Or a person is on a date with his/her significant other and one of them is spending the so called 'quality time' on updating their facebook/twitter/myspace status? Sadly, I'm sure we've all seen it or its been done to us or even by us.

I consciously turn off my cell phone when I go into work/school/church/movie theater or any place where someone is giving a speech to an audience of spectators or guests. It's common courtesy, polite, and it makes sense. Nothing is so important that someone needs to get in touch with me within an hour or two or even more.

I don't mean to sound uncaring or rude but if someone dies or is in an accident; and someone else is trying to get in contact with me regarding the tragedy; me receiving the news any sooner doesn't change the fact of someone getting hurt or dying.

Example of this was when my brother died unexpectedly in a car accident. I live out of state from a majority of my family. At that time, I worked at a preschool with children during the day and I had my cell phone off. When I am with the children, they are my first priority. They need me at that moment not anyone else. When I got off work, I turned on my cell phone and had several messages to call 'so and so'. No one mentioned anything on my voice box about my brother. When I got home, the answering machine had the same messages. The point is that me knowing sooner about my brother didn't change the event and I still wouldn't be able to do anything about it especially living out of town. Yes, it was the worst phone call I have ever received in my life; however, me finding out while at work wouldn't have changed the outcome. The children would've been frightened and upset when seeing my reaction to such terrible news and that wouldn't have served any purpose. I don't have any regrets about that because my brother and I had a great relationship and he knew my feelings and vice versa. He would have done the same thing.

Anyway, the overall point is to be consciously aware of the people with you at the moment not someone or something else on the cell phone or blackberry. Enjoy the people while their with you and be in that moment. Turn off the cell phone/blackberry, etc. You can check messages later. The people around you will appreciate it because it tells them that they matter to you and what they say matters. It's also polite to pay attention when someone else is speaking and giving them the attention which they deserve.

Monday, January 3, 2011

His quirky and eccentric ways add to his sex appeal. Who else can look hot while playing a scallywag pirate, a quiet recluse with scissors for hands, or a gypsy seducing the local chocolatier? That's right. None other than Mr. Johnny Depp. He can definitley wag my scally any time at all...Enjoy, ladies. :)